Societal Consequences Research Articles

Think Inside the Box: Wilhelm Reich’s Theories on Orgasm and the Orgone

Objectives As the originator of the term “sexual revolution”, Wilhelm Reich – an Austrian physician, psychoanalyst, political activist and author – was a significant, albeit controversial, contributor to his field. Throughout his career he extensively studied the human orgasm and developed the theory of “orgone energy” as a driving force present in animate and inanimate beings. While Reich’s theories are now largely seen as pseudoscientific, his views on sex and orgasmic energy have had an enduring impact in popular culture and society. Methods We analyzed primary material including journal entries and personal accounts obtained from the Wilhelm Reich Museum (Rangeley, Maine). We reviewed published secondary sources on Reich, news articles, and biographies obtained through on-line public resources as cited. Results Following a tumultuous childhood, Reich attended medical school in Vienna and started his early career under the tutelage of Sigmund Freud. Freud’s influence was instrumental in the development of Reich’s theories on character analysis and orgastic potency and his ideas were some of the first linking mental and sexual health. Reich also notably combined his interests in politics and sexual health and created “Sex-Pol” clinics, clinics that provided both sexual and Marxist education along with contraceptives, to the working class. Prior to WWII, Reich fled Nazi Germany to the United States, where he studied the relationship between sexual health and cosmic energy, a novel concept he termed “orgone”. To harness this energy, Reich invented “orgone accumulators’’ which, among other claims, were thought to improve physical and mental health. Ultimately, Reich’s notoriety garnered him attention from the American government, which led to the censorship of his works and ideas and eventual downfall and imprisonment. Conclusions Although Reich’s theories were largely discredited later in his life, he was a pioneer in advocating for a deeper curiosity of sexual health and its personal and societal consequences, which continue to impact society today.

The impact factors for first impression

Research on first impressions is crucial because of the widespread use of temperament judgments because of a lack of knowledge and their societal consequences. Until recently, however, first impressions were of dubious value, and factors affecting the formation of first impressions are being meticulously studied. This review discusses the aspects that affect first impressions and how first impressions could be subsequently altered. People have a tendency to evaluate others’ personalities merely based on their facial appearance. Subsequent experiences with an individual could only be used to support initial, rashly formed first impressions of that individual. Overgeneralization theories may explain this natural tendency. Further, stereotypes affect people’s first impressions by leading to preconceptions: people may directly refer to qualities that fit the stereotype even though the judged person does not fit the stereotype. First impressions can be revised with extra information that is highly diagnostic, reliable, or experience-reframing, and this revision can last for weeks or even months. This review also offers realistic future directions for research, including testing the generalizability of recent findings and examining how updating can reverse the impact of first impressions.

Sex Trafficking: A Modern-Day Slavery and Exploitation in Modern Times

Sex trafficking is a reprehensible offence that entails the abuse of susceptible persons, frequently women and minors, for the objective of sexual exploitation within conditions of enslavement. The contemporary manifestation of servitude has emerged as a widespread and intricate global predicament, affecting millions of individuals across the globe. The objective of this paper is to investigate diverse aspects of sex trafficking, encompassing its etiology, implications on survivors, and societal consequences. The paper additionally examines the obstacles involved in tackling sex trafficking, including insufficient awareness, legal structures, and efficacious interventions. The intended societal outcome of this research paper is to increase awareness regarding the issue of sex trafficking, which is frequently disregarded and neglected. The present study sheds light on the predicament of individuals who have fallen prey to trafficking and advocates for the implementation of efficacious measures by policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to ameliorate the circumstances of the victims, curtail the likelihood of trafficking among women and children, and ultimately thwart this criminal activity. This study makes a valuable contribution to policy-making endeavors aimed at mitigating sex trafficking and enhancing the safeguarding of its victims.

ETHICS IN AI AND MACHINE LEARNING

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technology maintain their speedy evolution, the moral issues surrounding their development, deployment, and impact on society have emerge as more and more paramount. This review paper gives a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted dimensions of ethics in AI and ML, exploring the moral challenges, frameworks, and rising traits that shape the ethical discourse in this dynamic subject. The paper begins by means of scrutinizing the moral implications embedded within the design and improvement stages of AI and ML structures. It delves into troubles of bias, equity, and duty, highlighting how algorithmic choices can unintentionally perpetuate existing inequalities. The examination extends to the ethical duties of researchers, developers, and corporations, emphasizing the need for obvious, responsible, and socially accountable AI practices. The societal effect of AI and ML technology is a relevant subject, with a focal point on ethical considerations in regions inclusive of healthcare, crook justice, finance, and autonomous structures. The paper explores the delicate stability between technological innovation and safeguarding fundamental human rights, privations, and dignity. It additionally addresses the moral demanding situations posed through using AI in influencing public opinion, political methods, and the potential for accidental societal consequences. The review seriously analyses present ethical frameworks and suggestions proposed through academia, industry, and regulatory bodies. It evaluates their effectiveness in addressing the evolving challenges posed by means of AI and ML. Special attention is given to the rising subject of explainable AI and the position of transparency in fostering ethical practices.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Epidemic on Hospital Admissions for Alcohol-related Liver Disease and Pancreatitis in Western Sydney.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Epidemic on Hospital Admissions for Alcohol-related Liver Disease and Pancreatitis in Western Sydney.

The Effect of Stress Ratio on Fatigue Cracks Growth Rate in Aluminum Alloy

The financial and societal consequences of the sudden failure of various mechanical structures and components can occasionally be severe. As a result, there has been extensive research done on fatigue failure in both the scientific and industrial fields. The impact of stress ratio adjustments on the rates of fatigue fracture propagation for an aluminum alloy has been investigated in the current study. This aluminum alloy was extracted from a Russian MI25 helicopter's primary blade. The stress intensity factor was calculated and employed by creating an initial crack in the test specimens after a specimen of MI25 blade was cut into testing specimens with standard dimensions. A special program was written specifically for this purpose to draw a graph of the stress intensity factor range (k) with value of the propagation of fatigue cracks (da / dN) at each stress ratio (R); Propagation of fatigue cracks has been studied. Finally, the relationship between the two different stress ratios has been discovered. Between the two, a comparison has been established. The findings indicated that when the stress ratio rises, so too does the rate at which fatigue cracks form. Conversely, with a negative stress ratio, the negative increase leads to a reduction in the rate at which fatigue cracks grow. The data have been examined, and during the second stage of crack propagation, where (R = 0.0), pertinent equations that are compatible with the Paris equation have been discovered.

The Effect of Stress Ratio on Fatigue Cracks Growth Rate in Aluminum Alloy

The financial and societal consequences of the sudden failure of various mechanical structures and components can occasionally be severe. As a result, there has been extensive research done on fatigue failure in both the scientific and industrial fields. The impact of stress ratio adjustments on the rates of fatigue fracture propagation for an aluminum alloy has been investigated in the current study. This aluminum alloy was extracted from a Russian MI25 helicopter's primary blade. The stress intensity factor was calculated and employed by creating an initial crack in the test specimens after a specimen of MI25 blade was cut into testing specimens with standard dimensions. A special program was written specifically for this purpose to draw a graph of the stress intensity factor range (k) with value of the propagation of fatigue cracks (da / dN) at each stress ratio (R); Propagation of fatigue cracks has been studied. Finally, the relationship between the two different stress ratios has been discovered. Between the two, a comparison has been established. The findings indicated that when the stress ratio rises, so too does the rate at which fatigue cracks form. Conversely, with a negative stress ratio, the negative increase leads to a reduction in the rate at which fatigue cracks grow. The data have been examined, and during the second stage of crack propagation, where (R = 0.0), pertinent equations that are compatible with the Paris equation have been discovered.

Sustainability Initiative towards Supply Chain Inventory Management

Almost every industrial supply chain operation has an environmental impact, ranging from pollution caused by industrial processes to waste generated by overproduction. The increased emission of greenhouse gases leads to global warming, demanding the use of sustainability initiatives in industrial supply chain models to reduce the emissions produced by their operations. The objective of this research study is to give a complete overview of integrating sustainability criteria into inventory management models to help researchers and practitioners make market-specific decisions. This study investigates simple and complex supply chain structures, as well as the incorporation of various green initiatives to improve the resiliency of supply chain models. The literature review highlights the sustainability constraints in inventory models by considering the industry's environmental and societal consequences. Finally, through a detailed analysis of the existing literature and related limitations, this paper provides potential research insights for future research directions in the domain.

Sustainability Initiative towards Supply Chain Inventory Management

Almost every industrial supply chain operation has an environmental impact, ranging from pollution caused by industrial processes to waste generated by overproduction. The increased emission of greenhouse gases leads to global warming, demanding the use of sustainability initiatives in industrial supply chain models to reduce the emissions produced by their operations. The objective of this research study is to give a complete overview of integrating sustainability criteria into inventory management models to help researchers and practitioners make market-specific decisions. This study investigates simple and complex supply chain structures, as well as the incorporation of various green initiatives to improve the resiliency of supply chain models. The literature review highlights the sustainability constraints in inventory models by considering the industry's environmental and societal consequences. Finally, through a detailed analysis of the existing literature and related limitations, this paper provides potential research insights for future research directions in the domain.

The impact of dental care programs on healthcare system and societal outcomes: a scoping review

BackgroundDental diseases have detrimental effects on healthcare systems and societies at large. Providing access to dental care can arguably improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare utilization costs, and improve several societal outcomes.ObjectivesOur objective was to review the literature to assess the impacts of dental care programs on healthcare and societal outcomes. Specifically, to identify the nature of such programs, including the type of services delivered, who was targeted, where services were delivered, and how access to dental care was enabled. Also, what kind of societal and healthcare outcomes have been attempted to be addressed through these programs were identified.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review by searching four databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Sociological s. Relevant articles published in English language from January 2000 to February 2022 were screened by four reviewers to determine eligibility for inclusion.ResultsThe search resulted in 29,468 original articles, of which 25 were included in the data synthesis. We found minimal evidence that answers our proposed research question. The majority of identified programs have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing medical and dental healthcare utilization (especially for non-preventive services) and avert more invasive treatments, and to a lesser degree, resulting in cost-savings. Moreover, some promising but limited evidence about program impacts on societal outcomes such as reducing homelessness and improving employability was reported.ConclusionDespite the well-known societal and economic consequences of dental problem, there is a paucity of studies that address the impacts of dental care programs from the societal and healthcare system perspectives.MeSH termsDelivery of Health Care, Dental Care, Outcome assessment, Patient acceptance of Health Care.

Dehumanizing and Rehumanizing the Countryside

The paper examines two regions, Baranya in Hungary and Kočevska (Gottschee) in Slovenia. It focuses on the cultural and societal consequences of processes of abandonment and their manifestations in both locales. First, the historical background of both regions is presented, followed by changes within the rural society after World War II, and the democratic change in the 1990s (i. e. depopulation, changes in ethnic structure and agriculture, etc.). Finally, we examine recent trends and current regional characteristics. The paper interprets the recent landscape as the manifestation of competing values and attitudes of rehumanization and rewilding intentions.

CROSS-CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN AGE ESTIMATION AND AGE BIAS

Abstract Our society is aging rapidly with older adults composing a continuously growing proportion of the population. This expected shift in population age is likely going to carry societal consequences, such as an increase in age discrimination. Previous research has shown that ageism (the systematic stereotyping and categorizing of people based on their age) is the most experienced kind of prejudice across Europe, with individualistic, industrialized countries like the USA and Germany showing greater levels of age bias towards the elderly. The current study aimed to investigate cross-cultural differences in age estimation and attitudes towards older adults. Pilot measures included 102 participants (65 American, 37 German) who estimated the age of 12 male celebrities representing three different age groups (young, middle, and older adult) and completed the Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA), a survey measurement investigating ageism. Although the Fraboni scale has been validated in other countries, it has not yet been translated to German, nor tested on a primarily German-speaking population. Preliminary analyses showed that both the original FSA scale and the German translation were reliable (αOriginal = 0.909, αGerman = 0.703), however, t-test revealed significant differences between the FSA mean scores of the original scale (M = 1.78, SD = .34) and the translated version (M = 3.15, SD = .28), t(100) = -20.90, p < .001. The researchers are currently recruiting 400 additional participants to explore the effects of culture, race, and participant age on age estimation and further validate the German translation of the scale.

Integration versus segregation: Newspaper diversity and museum formation in US local communities 1872–1976

Motivated by general theoretical ideas about the societal consequences of diversity among organizations, I examine how the diversity of organizational forms in a local community shapes the formation of its museums. I argue that the diversity of organizations that cut cross major community segregation lines helps to integrate a community and consequently enhances its ability to act collectively, in this instance to create a museum to serve the community. In contrast, the diversity of organizations that are confined to the major segregation lines widens community cleavage and decreases the community’s ability to establish a museum collectively. Empirically, I investigate how diversity in the local press affected the formation of museums in American counties from 1872 to 1976. The findings provide empirical support for my theory. I find that the diversity of general appeal newspapers has a positive relationship with the formation of museums, implying the integrating effects of general appeal newspapers that cut across boundaries of race and ethnicity, the dominant segregation lines in US communities. In contrast, there is a negative relationship between ethnic newspaper diversity and museum formation, showing the segregating effects of ethnic newspapers by race and ethnicity. I conclude the study with a discussion of its implications for a general research program on how organizational diversity shapes social interaction patterns in a community, and consequently influences the community’s civic engagement for public good.

Temporal and Regional Trends in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using Administrative Health Data in Alberta, Canada.

Rationale: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common treatable condition with important health and societal consequences. Objectives: We aimed to assess the annual incidence and prevalence of clinically recognized and geographic clustering of OSA in Alberta, Canada, using administrative health data case definitions. Methods: We used two administrative health databases in Alberta to identify ICD-9 and ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and 10th Revisions, respectively) diagnostic codes for adults and children at least 2 years old diagnosed with OSA between 2003 and 2020. We defined OSA using an algorithm developed and validated in Alberta: at least three claims or one hospitalization within 2 years. We mapped residential postal codes to 70 subregional health authorities (SRHAs). Crude, age group- and sex-specific incidence and prevalence, and age group- and sex-standardized rates were calculated for Alberta and SRHAs. Spatial scan statistics identified clusters of SRHAs in which OSA cases were higher (hot spots) or lower (cold spots) than expected. Results: Between 2003 and 2020, OSA prevalence increased from 0.14% to 4.59%. The annual incidence of OSA increased after 2013. Incidence and prevalence were higher in older adults and children aged 2-11 years compared with 12-17 years. Cluster analysis revealed regional variation in OSA incidence and prevalence over time with no consistent pattern except for cold spots in one large metropolitan center (Calgary). Conclusions: From 2003 to 2020, the incidence and prevalence of clinically recognized OSA increased but varied by geography. Administrative health data can be used to guide interventions aimed at improving health service delivery and the quality of OSA care.

Forest dieback reframed and revisited? Forests (re)negotiated in the German media between forestry and nature conservation

In Germany, the impacts of drought, heat and related bark beetle outbreaks on forests have shed light on the ongoing conflict between forestry and nature conservation approaches to forest management. The current forest damages sparked a nationwide debate about the role of forests and their adaptation to climate change. Echoing back to the debate on the German forest dieback in the 1980s, the current situation is commonly framed as forest dieback 2.0. As mass media possess discursive power in attributing specific meaning to topics, it influences public opinion and decision-making processes. Therefore, we conducted a frame analysis of newspaper articles on the impact of the drought years between 2018 and 2020 on forests. The aim was to identify the dominant actors in the debate and how they frame the current damages to German forests. Our results show that the forestry sector, politicians and journalists dominate the debate. Despite the low standing of nature conservationists in the debate, we observed a balanced, yet polarized presentation of forest and nature conservation frames. Whereas environmental factors are depicted as the main cause of forest damages, nature conservationists also blame the forestry sector. At the same time, forests are presented as the main affected as well as the most important factor to solve the crisis in relation to its climate mitigation potential. Forest management practices are identified as key instruments contributing to those solutions. In this regard, actors in the debate instrumentalize forests through dominant climate change discourses in order to legitimize their perspectives. In contrast, the societal responsibility and consequences of the forest damages are neglected.

The role of circular economy in food waste management in fulfilling the United Nations’ sustainable development goals

Abstract Based on the UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2021, approximately 931 million tons of food waste were generated in 2019, with nearly 570 million tons of that waste occurring in households. Hunger affects more than 800 million people worldwide. Furthermore, the non-consumption of food accounts for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, food waste generation has significant environmental, societal, and economic consequences. The circular economy (CE) is an economic model that seeks to reduce waste and extend resource life. The purpose of this study is to examine and present the connections between the CE, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and food waste management. Food waste management is commonly regarded as an environmental issue. Still, it also offers vital economic and social benefits for sustainable development. The first section of the research looks at the function of food waste management in the transition to a circular economy. The second part of this study examines the SDGs in food waste management and circular economy. The findings revealed that the most significant connections and synergies between food waste management, circular economy practices, and SDG targets could be found in SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Both goals have high scores for direct and indirect contributions.

Women in Blue: Toward a Better Understanding of the Gender Gap in Marine Robotics [Women in Engineering

The gender gap is a global challenge bearing significant societal consequences, as highlighted by Caroline Criado Perez in her book <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Invisible Women</i> <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">[1]</xref> . Here the author points to a male-dominated approach to all aspects of life as a way of thinking that has been around for millennia, exposing data bias in a world designed for men. Criado’s reasoning process unveils not only a bias in data representation but also in knowledge production. Therefore, we speak not only about a world designed for men but also about men. Traditionally male-dominated fields such as science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM) have seen slow progress in closing the gender gap. A recent study by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref2" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">[2]</xref> shows that women still account for only a third of STEM researchers worldwide and approximately 22% of workers in artificial intelligence.

Underwater Cultural Heritage: Out of Sight, Out of Mind and at Risk

OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND. Tangible and intangible cultural heritage assets located in coastal and near-shore underwater environments are under particular threat due to climate change and its impact on water. These threatened sites and practices have served historically to not only feed and employ large and small coastal communities, but importantly have provided the societal and cultural roots that have helped bond them together. Although it is acknowledged that water environments (in the context of this article ‘‘water’’ is taken to mean oceans, seas and inland waters) function as a major global food source (SDG 2 Zero Hunger), and play a major role as a carbon sink (SDG13 Climate Action), water is also a vehicle for commerce and many other ocean activities labeled ‘‘the Blue Economy,’’ all of which are considered of critical importance. However, the societal consequences of damage and loss to underwater tangible and intangible heritage assets and associated practices should not be underestimated. Threatened by sea level rise, with seas estimated to rise by up to a meter by the end of the century, combined with extreme weather events (Gregory et al. 2022), it is anticipated that there will be significant loss of these assets with social and cultural consequences. In extreme circumstances, the very existence of some coastal communities and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is also at risk. Therefore, how to value, protect and manage these often “unseen” underwater cultural heritage sites sustainably is of vital social and cultural importance.

Hard Money and Time Preference

Money is what allows individuals to face uncertainty, by controlling and debasing money, governments of the world shift the time preference of individuals to somewhere closer to the present time. This currency inflation disincentivizes saving with societal consequences that go much beyond economics. By giving back to individuals the possibility of saving, Bitcoin emulates what gold did for a number of centuries and provides a much-needed solution to the interference of governments in the money market. The Bitcoin standard will provide for much higher levels of social development, because it will incentivize and facilitate savings as well as the exercise of proper economic calculation.

Minimum safety liquid levels for cylindrical storage tanks to prevent buckling under fluctuating wind loads

Among the diverse Natech scenarios, buckling of storage tanks under extreme winds is of particular concern due to the economical, ecological, and societal consequences the leakage of valuable, flammable, and hazardous substances in the tanks can bring about. Filling storage tanks with water has a stabilizing effect against buckling and has been adopted in practice to preserve the integrity of tanks under extreme wind loads. In previous studies, the description of wind load is mostly limited to rule-of-thumb formulas with empirical parameters, which is insufficient to make credible quantitative decisions in the prevention and preparedness phase of emergency management. In the present study, sophisticated numerical simulations of multiple correlated time histories of fluctuating wind loads and nonlinear finite element analysis allow for a technologically sound methodology for the evaluation of minimum safety liquid levels for storage tanks to prevent buckling under extreme winds. In the case studies, both the proposed methodology and the relevant Eurocode have been applied to assess the minimum safety liquid levels in more than one hundred scenarios of severe winds. It is observed that both approaches agreed that 94 scenarios were safe and 19 were unsafe. However, the remaining 13 scenarios were considered safe by the Eurocode-static-analysis approach while considered unsafe by the proposed approach indicating that the peak velocity pressure formula in Eurocode and static wind buckling analysis adopted in numerous previous studies systematically underestimate the role of fluctuating wind. The proposed methodology may be applied to help make quantitative decisions corresponding to wind disasters.